South Coast – West Cornwall

PRUSSIA COVE or Piskies Cove, Bessy’s Cove,

King’s Cove and Coule’s Cove Four enigmatic small coves that are called Prussia Cove that derived its name from an 18th Century smuggler called John Carter. He was known as the 'King of Prussia' due to his admiration with King Frederick the Great, of Prussia. He was a notorious character, part fisherman and part wrecker and smuggler operating from Bessy’s Cove which even today still holds the romance of its infamous history.

Bessy’s Cove at low water

Piskies Cove is the furthest west and is in the lea of Cudden Point. It has a sandy beach and interesting caves. Bessy’s Cove is the main beach which is shingle and has a small harbour and slipway and is still used by local fishermen. King’s Cove is east of Bessy’s but is private and there is no public access to it although it is the smallest of the coves. Coule’s Cove, the most easterly cove, joins up with the beach at Kennack Sands. The Coves were originally known as Porth Leah and are now owned and managed by the Tunstall –Behrens Family who founded the International Musicians Seminar in 1972 at the Edwardian buildings rising out of the rocky headland above King’s Cove and Coule’s Cove. It is believed that Bessy’s Cove was named after a local innkeeper who dealt in smuggled brandy.

Slipway at Bessy’s Cove Wonderful rock pools

Path down to Bessy’s Cove Track carved out of the rocks

TR20 9BA - On the A394 Penzance to Helston Road, 3.5kms east of Marazion at Roseudgeon there is the access road to Prussia Cove. The small car park (capacity 40 cars) is 1.5kms at the end of the surfaced road. There is no roadside parking due to the narrow approach road and the car park can fill up quickly on a fine day thus tending to limit the number of people using the Coves.

For all three coves take the vehicular track at the side of the car park. After 280m the track forks; go right for Bessy’s Cove and Piskies Cove. After 100m at a point immediately above the small harbour there is a path on the left with steps down to the Bessy’s Cove. For Piskies Cove continue along the path (which is the Coast Path) and past the remains of the fishermen’s shacks (100m) and then after a further 150m there is a path on the seaward side of the Coast path with leads down over the rocks to Piskies Cove.

Piskies Cove with caves at low water

To get to Coule’s Cove, at the fork in the track from the car park, continue straight on past the Porth Leah buildings and down into the valley and at the stream there is a path on the right to the cove.

Coule’s Cove – a shingle beach with Kennack Sands beyond

Piskies Cove is the only sandy beach but it is covered at high water. There are two parts to the beach separated by an area of rocks. The furthest area of beach has some quite mysterious caves to explore. The beach at Bessy’s Cove is shingle with a small area above high water mark. It is best known for its rock formations which produce numerous pools at low water; there are also rocky outcrops used for diving and jumping in the sea at high water. There is a track carved out of the rocks between the beach and the harbour inlet. Coule’s Cove is mostly shingle with a small area above high water and rock platforms at low water.

There is only safety equipment at Bessy’s Cove.

All three beaches are relatively safe for swimming when conditions are favourable although there are currents off Piskies Cove that need care to be taken at low water. None of the coves are suitable for surfing although it is good for kayaking but getting craft down to the beaches is not easy at all.

The coves are a great place for diving and snorkelling at all stages of the tide but especially at high water. It is particularly good either side of Bessy’s Cove around Battery Point and The Enys. At low water it has some of the best rock pools along this stretch of coastline where there is an abundance of small fish and crabs. It is a favourite spot for anglers

‘The Harbour Inlet’ on the right The shingle beach at Bessy’s

who often line up along Battery Point seeking mackerel, pollack, and wrasse.

There are no restrictions on dogs.

There are no facilities at all. The nearest toilets are at Perranuthnoe to the west and Praa Sands to the east - both are approximately 3.7kms from the Prussia Cove car park. The same goes for cafes, restaurants, pubs and shops although at Praa Sands there is kayak, surfboard and equipment hire as well.

The slipway to the harbour is not really usable as an access to craft being transported to the coves.

Location – Part of OS Explorer Map 102

Piskies Cove Coule’s Cove

Water quality is excellent. All three coves can be plagued by seaweed after periods of southerly winds. The beaches are not cleaned but relatively free from water borne litter. In 1947, HMS Warspite ran aground off the Cove but was eventually towed to Marazion. In 2004, the TV period drama, ‘Ladies in Lavender’ was filmed at the Cove. The coves can be accessed quite easily from Higher Kenneggie where there is some roadside parking and then by taking the Track and footpath to where it joins the Coast Path (above Kennack Sands) Then turning in a westerly direction where Coule’s Cove is only 300m. They are delightful coves in a great setting.

Coule’s Cove

© Crown copyright and database rights 2012 Ordnance Survey 100049047

©C

op

yrig

ht

Mik

e H

aw

key

– C

orn

wa

ll B

each

Info

rma

tio

n